“Bart--?” Judy hesitated to ask the question that was foremost in her mind.
“Surely he wouldn’t be crazy enough to try to swim through the siphon!” Kathleen exclaimed.
“The lad is a true spelunker, like his father. He has the courage of a lion, and the muscles of a young bear. Since he was a mere boy, he’s studied and dreamed about this cave.”
“But we’ve seen no evidence that he’s anywhere in the cavern,” Judy said hopefully.
“No evidence?” Captain Hager’s voice was muted, as his light came to focus upon a rock shelf a few feet above the river bed.
For a moment, neither Judy nor Kathleen understood.
Then, they fully comprehended. There on the rock ledge, set heel to heel, was an empty pair of shoes. Beside them, in a neat roll, was Bart’s shirt and jacket.
Three hours now had elapsed since Captain Hager, Judy and Kathleen had ascertained that Bart Ranieau was somewhere deep in the cave, beyond the siphon.
Unable to penetrate farther, the three had made the arduous climb back to the cavern entrance where Miss Meadows anxiously awaited them.
Their report had been a discouraging one. Without question, Bart was somewhere in Calico Cave, but whether or not alive, no one could say.
“The lad may have reached an air pocket, or a chamber,” Captain Hager said. “That’s what he gambled on.”
“He’s been missing a day and a half now,” Miss Meadows reminded the seaman. “While you were down in the cave, I checked on that point. Surely, if he’s ever coming back, he’d have made it by now.”
“Can’t something be done?” Miss Meadows urged.
“Not a man in these parts would risk that siphon, ma’am.”
“I realize that,” Miss Meadows answered. “But is there no other way to reach him, if he’s still alive? Couldn’t the rangers blast the rock perhaps?”
“It would be impractical and dangerous, Ma’am.”
“But the cave must have an exit somewhere close--if only it could be traced down! If one could approach the siphon from the other direction--”
“Aye, Ma’am,” Captain Hager replied, “I’ve been pondering on it--pondering hard.”
“Then you do have an idea!” Judy cried. “Does it have anything to do with Calico Cottage?”
“I’ve been meditatin’ along that line,” the old man admitted.
“Is there any chance the cave connects in some way with the foundation of the cottage?” Judy demanded excitedly. “Remember, all those strange sounds which seemed to come from the basement! They might have been cave noises! And we noticed a gust of cool air coming through a crack in the mortar.”